- The Oregon Catalyst - https://oregoncatalyst.com -

Representative Bruce Hanna:

HANNA: BUDGET SHORTFALL THE RESULT OF OVERSPENDING,
FAILURE TO ADDRESS OREGON’S UNEMPLOYMENT

By State Representative Bruce Hanna

SALEM””House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) had the following to say regarding the June 2010 state economic and revenue forecast: “Oregon’s significant budget deficit is a product of the Democrats’ massive overspending and the $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees they’ve passed since 2009. “Despite record unemployment, the current Legislature increased new government spending by over $8 billion while doing nothing to address the state’s escalating pension and benefits costs. We have a staggering shortfall today because the Legislature has consistently ignored reality outside the State Capitol.

“Rather than working with the private sector to encourage job growth, Oregon’s businesses have been stifled by job-killing taxes and mandates. It’s no surprise that April’s tax collections were “˜dismal,’ because the Democratic supermajority has done nothing to improve our private sector economy.

“It’s worth noting that economists are still forecasting robust revenue growth over the next three biennia. The presumed deficit in the “˜current service level’ model only tells us that the Legislature is spending more than Oregonians can afford. In 2011, the Legislature should stop using this model as a baseline for budgeting, and use the revenue we have to prioritize spending and protect essential programs and services.”

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